Be The Match SIUE 5K for bone marrow donors set for Oct. 25

Be The Match

The Be The Match SIUE 5K will take place Saturday, Oct. 25, on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the race at 9 a.m.

The event is cosponsored by Eta Sigma Gamma, the national health education honor society of the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, and the Be The Match Foundation. It is an effort to promote the importance of registering as a bone marrow donor.

The Be The Match Foundation operates the Be The Match Registry, the world’s largest listing of potential marrow donors and donated cord blood units.

“Eta Sigma Gamma members are committed to generating awareness about the importance of joining the registry,” said Jennifer Caumiant, instructor of kinesiology and health education at SIUE. “It costs $100 to add one potential marrow donor to the Be the Match Registry. Our goal is to help grow the registry, adding more potential donors for searching patients in need of a transplant.”

Every year, thousands are diagnosed with blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and other life-threatening diseases. Seventy percent of people do not have a donor in their family and depend on the Be The Match Registry to find a match to save their lives. Be The Match Foundation raises funds to help patients who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant find a donor and receive treatment.

“Central principles of our mission include service and advocacy,” said Caumiant, who also serves as faculty advisor for the SIUE Eta Sigma Gamma student chapter. “Students will gain experience in program planning and implementation. However, I think the most valuable experience for our students will be knowing that they can make a difference in someone’s life in a positive and meaningful way.”

Registration fee is $25. Proceeds will be donated to the foundation to help cover the costs of registering as a marrow donor.

Participants who pre-register will receive a free T-shirt. Those who register the day of the race will receive a free water bottle, while supplies last. To register, visit www.bethematchfoundation.org/siue5k.